Today I got to chat with one of my favorite OB-GYNs, Dr. Jennifer Lincoln, about common myths around pregnancy, labor, and birth, how to advocate for yourself, what questions to ask, and where to find trustworthy information. She just wrote the book I wish I’d had in 2019 and again in 2022 when I had my babies, but I’m so glad it exists now.
What We Covered
Why birth has become such a common target for misinformation online
Some of the biggest myths people are hearing right now, and how social media can make it harder to know what is actually evidence-based information
Common questions about labor and delivery, including inductions, epidurals, vaginal births after cesarean (VBAC), Pitocin, continuous fetal monitoring, eating during labor, and the idea that interventions are always something to fear
Whether lower-intervention models of care, including midwifery, should be more integrated into mainstream maternity care
Whether there is any benefit to consuming your placenta
How people can better evaluate the pregnancy and birth information they come across online, and what to look for when trying to figure out whether something on social media is actually credible
Why it Matters
Pregnancy and birth are deeply personal experiences, but they are also shaped by the quality of information, support, and care people receive. Dr. Lincoln explained what respectful maternity care actually looks like in practice, how patients can recognize when they’re not receiving it, and what red flags to pay attention to in prenatal care.
This conversation was a reminder that understanding your options and knowing what questions to ask can make pregnancy and birth feel far less overwhelming. I really enjoyed this conversation and I hope you do as well.
Get a copy of Dr. Jennifer Lincoln’s new book, The Birth Book: An OB-GYN’s Guide to Demystifying Labor and Delivery here.
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